Thinking about getting a puppy

julie_boser · May 2010

Am I crazy?? We have wanted a dog for a long time and found the perfect one. Did any of you 2nd time moms get a puppy right before having a baby. Is it possible or am I totally insane? All my friends say don't do it. What do you think??

LCB34 · May 2010

You are insane.

There is no chance in hell that I would want to train a puppy and have a newborn in the house at the same time.

It takes MONTHS to properly train a puppy - not to mention it is a big time sacrifice on a daily basis. You simply won't have the time needed with a baby at home. And that is not fair to the puppy.

FishNchips1 · May 2010

Nope. Would not recommend it at all!!!!

Butterbean52 · May 2010

Right before having a baby, YES, that's insane. Do you really think you will have time to housetrain a puppy while taking care of a newborn?

We adopted a puppy and THEN found out I was pg, so our puppy is 8 months old now... and she has settled down quite a bit (but not totally.) It's still a lot of work.

ericndarcy2009 · May 2010

If i were 30 weeks, the only way I'd get a dog is if it wasn't a puppy and was pretty much trained and just needed to get it used to me and my house.

Taking on a new furbaby and a new baby so close together could be terribly difficult!

jturn · May 2010

don't do it!!! Both times I've been pregnant I wanted a puppy...I even fostered a dog during my first pregnancy. I adore animals but its like my mommy gene kicks into overdrive with all these hormones and I desperately want another pet. Trust me, the last thing you need with a newborn is a puppy. Both are a lot of work and its not fair to the puppy that you won't have time for it after just a few months of it living with you. I would strongly recommend waiting until LO is at least a few months old...plus you don't want to deal with a puppy in the biting/chewing stage when you bring home a newborn.

pixy_stix · May 2010

Where is said puppy coming from that they are willing to adopt (or give) you the puppy when you're close to popping out your child?

shanmoyer · May 2010

I would wait - and Im totally a first-timer. We thought about getting a pooch, and I would still love to get one, but life as we know it is going to get turned upside down...adding another element like a pet is not a good idea....

mybe when Bug's a year old we'll get a puppy, but that's a pretty big maybe!

Kateysomething · May 2010

Yes. You're insane. Seriously, truly, insane.

Adopting an adult dog who didn't need to be house trained would be a huge undertaking. Adopting a puppy who is completely untrained is sadistic. And, to be honest, not fair to you OR the new puppy.

mysticporter · May 2010

As much of an animal lover as I am, I really don't think it's a good idea to get a puppy right before having a baby. We unintentionally got a younger dog (long story) about a year ago, and even with being very experienced pet owners with 2 other, older dogs (and second time parents), we would have never deliberately gotten this guy (he's about a year and a half now, and like I said, we've had him a year and he's *still* a ton of work). Young dogs require a ton of attention and training, all of which takes a lot of time, and its time you just won't have with a new baby. I think it will be putting a lot of stress on yourself that you don't need, wait until your new family is settled and then consider getting a dog.

Rachelilly23 · May 2010

Completely insane. We got a puppy a few weeks before I found out I was pregnant, so he's 11 months old now, but even being pregnant and having to train and take care of a puppy was hard. I wouldn't even want to think what it would be like with a newborn.

secretmemories13 · May 2010

With all due respect I think your crazy.... Its a nice thought, but Id wait till LO is old enough and you have more time to dedicate to the puppy....

We just went thru the puppy cycle the past two years (2 puppies a year apart) and now they are finally over a year and trained... I couldnt imagine going thru that with LO on the way...

Training to not bite LO when its in thier nature as puppies to bite, Not to chew up things, not potty in the house (major sanitary issues until they learn), be calm around LO with so much energy, and have the time to train it properly... good luck.... Its a lot of responsiblity....

Cilley · May 2010

I wouldn't. It may be the perfect puppy, but not the perfect time. Once you get a puppy, it is a baby and needs a lot of attention and care. You may lose a lot of sleep and that is the last thing you need before adding a new baby to the mix. You need all the energy you can muster up just to get ready for the baby.

mrsfrank · May 2010

You are totally insane..... IMO puppies are harder than newborns

EmilyAnn10 · May 2010

LCB34:

You are insane.

There is no chance in hell that I would want to train a puppy and have a newborn in the house at the same time.

It takes MONTHS to properly train a puppy - not to mention it is a big time sacrifice on a daily basis. You simply won't have the time needed with a baby at home. And that is not fair to the puppy.

Ditto.

We've had our pup since January 2009 (He'll be 2 in Nov.) and we're still in the process of training him to NOT jump on people -- especially newbies. He's much better now but it takes a ton of time/patience and with a newborn you just wouldn't be able to train him properly.

nooniesgal · May 2010

I love puppies but please get one after the baby gets here just in case you change your mind and not before (in case of colic, fussy baby, life, etc...). We got a lab puppy when dd was born and I thought I would lose my mind. I remember standing outside to make sure he had peed while listening to the baby cry on the monitor thinking I literally would scream. We ended up giving him to a home that was soooooo much better suited for him at that time. We are big dog people too, but iy was too much to handle.

kelseyprieto · May 2010

Training a puppy is a lot of work! We got ours around the same time frame we found out we were pregnant and it was like taking care of a newborn, especially waking up during the night to take her outside to potty train her. I couldn't imagine doing it all over when our LO gets here. Talk about tired!

bloverly · May 2010

If you mean puppy as in dog, then maybe go for it. If you mean puppy as in tiny fluff of furball that needs to be trained....I'd wait until after you've adjusted to being a mom. An older dog that is trained would be perfect, especially if they are maybe 2-3yrs old because they have a long life ahead but they should be housetrained, better behaved, and you'd know if they get along with small children. So, if you mean an adult dog (2+yrs old) then do it! If you mean baby dog, I'd wait. But that's me!

KatieKim0815 · May 2010

Training of puppy is a TON of work. DF and I got our sweet baby pup when I was about 10 weeks or so. Thank goodness we did it then as he's pretty much perfectly trained now that I am 7 months pregnant and he is and always has been the joy of my life. he's such a cuddle bug and I wouldn't change when we got him for a second. I didn't want to get him after the baby as I didn't know how I would be able to handle a newborn and a pup. It takes at least three months to train a puppy and they do require as much attention as a newborn especially in the first few weeks.

metzy144 · May 2010

LCB34:

You are insane.

There is no chance in hell that I would want to train a puppy and have a newborn in the house at the same time.

It takes MONTHS to properly train a puppy - not to mention it is a big time sacrifice on a daily basis. You simply won't have the time needed with a baby at home. And that is not fair to the puppy.

This

snoopysnoperson · May 2010

As a dog trainer, I would say no to getting a puppy now. Many puppies get re-homed even if they are the "perfect puppy" when a family is also dealing with a new baby. Not saying that would be you, but training a puppy is a difficult job. I have two very well trained dogs (4 and 8 years old) and I honestly am finding it hard to exercise them at 40 weeks pregnant and I don't even have to worry about a baby yet! If they were pups, I think I would lose my mind! There are sooo many puppies that need homes, I am sure another great puppy or dog will come along when you are ready.

indomesticbliss · May 2010

Yep, that's a crazy idea. If you have puppy fever go volunteer at an animal shelter.

I don't see how bringing a puppy, or even an adult dog for that matter, that will need lots of love and attention to get used to its new environment (nevermind training!) into a home that will soon have a baby with even bigger demands, is in any way, shape or form a smart idea. It's unfair to the new dog/puppy who will get pushed to the side when LO comes.

tarebear9891 · May 2010

We got our dog 4 months before my first was due. It was perfect timing because we had enough time to train him and he grew up used to the baby so that it wasn't a shock to him. Now they are best friends. But I don't think you have enough time to train the puppy and having an untrained puppy and a newborn will be way to hard.

slc2b · May 2010

Don't do it. If you really want to adopt a dog get an adult who won't need as much training and attention. But even then, I think it would be best to wait until at least several months after baby is here. It wouldn't be fair to a puppy to bring him into your home right now.

mommyrenee · May 2010

we got a puppy right before we got PG and it was hard with a newborn. he definitely did not get the attention he needed those first few weeks.

i would wait until the NB stage is over. you will not have time to devote to a puppy & a NB

southernbelle82 · May 2010

Um YES you are crazy. Seriously Listen to your friends. A puppy will pee, poop, bark, jump, bite, shed and chew. Think about added financial responsibilities. When you want to go out of town, who will watch the dog?

Trust me, you'll have your hands full with the baby. A puppy is going to require so much of your time...even once he/she is out of puppy stage. Think about the training that will be required. Think about the amount of time you'll need to play with the puppy. Focus on and enjoy your little one and put off getting a dog.

For the sake of the dog, please please please REALLY think about this and don't let the cuteness of the puppy cloud your decision.

Sam Buttons · May 2010

don't do it... I love my dog, but we adopted her as a puppy and training her was the hardest thing I have had to do - my sister who has 5 boys told DH and I that a baby would be nothing after training a puppy lol.

That said, if you still have 10 weeks and really would like a dog, I would consider adopting an adult dog from a shelter. There are so many pets that are in need of a home that will be completely loving and the perfect pet - and an adult dog could be well adjusted by the time LO arrives

amy0105 · May 2010

I'm sure the puppy is adorable - but, it's probably something you'll regret and you'll end up having to re-home the dog -- which could mean putting him in a shelter...go play with some puppies that are up for adoption - but, don't come home with one...

penelopepink09 · May 2010

Listen to your friends.

Unless you want piss/sh!t/puke all over your floors and all of your baby's toys and blankets/clothes chewed on.

ashlee1120 · May 2010

Not a second time mom but we got a puppy about 3 weeks ago, when I was at 34 weeks so I do not think you are crazy, you still have time to get it trained. Just have to be ready for a busy chewing little thing you have to watch!

preciousmetal · May 2010

You are insane. Puppies take so much time and energy, you will be totally exhausted as it is from taking care of LO.

lavet22 · May 2010

HAHA-I say go for it, but then again, we just adopted a puppy as well Stick out tongue

Yes, it takes months to properly train a puppy, but if you're willing to take that on (as I have), then do it. We are crate training and taking puppy (a st bernard named Hans) outside every hour and staying outside until he potties. We take him out more frequently after he eats and drinks, but it's coming along just fine.

Now, I am a vet tech and have trained many puppies in my day (used to foster dogs as well). We researched the type of dog that would fit our lifestyle and then waited for one to come up for adoption. We specifically chose st bernards because 1) I have had them before, 2) they are very mellow and big lazy bugs, and 3) they are fantastic family dogs.

I think, as long as you put time in to considering the effort it takes to adopt a puppy AND how the dog will fit your lifestyle, go for it. If it's an 'on-a-whim' thing, no way!!!!

Good Luck!!!

jlthompson19 · May 2010

For those few of you telling her to do it b/c you did. You are still pregnant too. Wait until the baby comes and THEN tell her how smart your decisions were.

penelopepink09 · May 2010

jlthompson19:
For those few of you telling her to do it b/c you did. You are still pregnant too. Wait until the baby comes and THEN tell her how smart your decisions were.

Or how smart their decisions were NOT.

AmandaAndTj · May 2010

NO WAY!!! We got a puppy a year ago, thinking it would be trained enough by the time we had a baby.... not so much. She is mostly a great dog but STILL a puppy and will be for another year or so. She takes so much time and energy and I'm not looking forward to dealing with her and the baby. She (our dog) goes to day care a few times a week and thats the only way I stay sane now! I love her sooo much, but often think about "what if" we wouldnt have gotten her and how much easier life will be when the baby gets here..

Melanie0217 · May 2010

I must be insane as well because we just got an 8 week old puppy last week. Things are going well..potty training especially..and I think it helps out because we also have another dog already...so they pretty much keep eachother busy.

I have a 19 month old, and I'm 31 weeks pg, and our dogs are almost 1 year and now the 9 week old puppy. I'm not going to lie and say its easy and you should do it...It is hard, and time consuming and I sometimes have questioned myself thinking what the heck did we get ourselves into...but with that being said, I wouldn't change it for anything. It's up to you and DH on what you think you'll be able to handle and if you want to worry about only having a few months to potty train it before the baby comes...do what you and DH think you two can handle. HTH.

Good luck!

pixy_stix · May 2010

jlthompson19:
For those few of you telling her to do it b/c you did. You are still pregnant too. Wait until the baby comes and THEN tell her how smart your decisions were.

Agreed x10000000000000

slc2b · May 2010

ashlee1120:
Not a second time mom but we got a puppy about 3 weeks ago, when I was at 34 weeks so I do not think you are crazy, you still have time to get it trained. Just have to be ready for a busy chewing little thing you have to watch!

You are crazy. You have not had your baby yet how in the world can you even comment on this yet?

august282005 · May 2010

penelopepink09:
jlthompson19:
For those few of you telling her to do it b/c you did. You are still pregnant too. Wait until the baby comes and THEN tell her how smart your decisions were.
Or how smart their decisions were NOT.

Ditto. Our new timeline is no dog until we're done cleaning up other family member's poop on a regular basis.

shanesfiance · May 2010

I wouldn't do it. Chances are, training the puppy would not be a priority with a new baby (and getting ready for the baby) and due to this, pup would develop some bad habits that would be very hard to break. Puppies need a lot of attention and consistency. Puppies also need quite a few vet visits at first, which might be difficult with a newborn/infant. Even an adult dog in a new home has its issues with adjusting.

Tulips21 · May 2010

I love my dog now- but she was brutal and a full time project for the first 6 months to a year- and that was with puppy training.

So yes, I think it is insane to get a puppy while having a baby. Are you due soon? if you are not far along you might be able to get most of the training done before the baby comes, but otherwise I would wait a while!

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